News Letter #12

Firstly a big 'Thank you' to all who have rejoined this year and to those newly joined for all your support. It was great to see so many at our social function.

The Autumn has started well with a clear evening for viewing Uranus and Neptune and then a very well attended Anniversary Drinks, which due to numbers, had to be held in the Marlburian. We were honoured to have Phil Charles (Hon. Friend) Director of the Southern Africa Large Telescope join us from S.A.

Life at the Dome does not get less hectic! Over the Summer the real highlight was the Vesta evening, where the asteroid was seen remarkably clearly. The Summer School courses were booked out and the 'Solar Weather' afternoon course actually had Sun, though no sunspots. I have decided to shelve this course during Solar minimum (the current rate is one small spot per fortnight) and may reinstate the course in the build up to next Solar maximum. 'Archaeoastronomy' in the morning went well and we were welcome additions at the 1st August Druidic feast of Lughnasadh at Silbury Hill. I intend to run this course again next Summer (in Week 3) but as a full- day course, which will give more time for site visits. Places are again limited to 16. The Summer School lecture was well attended and Dr Trotta opened many minds to the complexity of potential multiple universes!

The Question and Answer evening was held at the Dome last week and the small group were taken on a tour of galaxies and their evolution and were able to view the core of M31 (Andromeda) in the 10 inch. The next Q & A session will be held on Wednesday 7th November (theme: Extra terrestrial life), again let me know if you intend to come (max. 20 paces)

The 3rd Blackett science lecture is on Tuesday 27th November at 8.00pm when Professor Roger Davies from Oxford will give the lecture 'The Universe of Galaxies'.

College Astronomy continues to thrive, with last Summer's results the best so far. The College is also piloting Astronomy post GCSE, as an exiting new venture.

The winter meteor showers are well placed for the Moon, so keep a look out.

Many of you will perhaps not be aware of the potentially superb development planned at Wroughton, just down the road. The site there has long needed development and at last there is the potential for a 10 acre underground museum and visitor/activity centre. The project is called Inspired and is seeking a £50M Lottery bid. The competition is to be televised and the Bid secured on votes. Each project will have a 15 minute slot at 11pm following the ITV news from 3rd to 7th December. Telephone voting will open from 7th to 9th December. There will be also on-line voting at the Lottery website from 26th November.

This facility will unveil and display the 92%!! of the Science Museum's collection of our scientific heritage which is not currently visible. The potential for educational inspiration and uplift to the whole area is enormous, let alone access to a very dark site (total 100 acres) To find out more go to the website www.voteinspired.org.uk (though this is not fully running yet)

Most importantly, please vote by phone, or on-line when the voting opens This project will not happen unless we win (and we probably need 1M + votes) and there are 4 or 5 significant other contenders elsewhere in the country that may get a large local vote. This however, is the only project with the potential for changing the future of not only the area but also for children for whom Science is often alien and inaccessible. Please tell your friends too.

Christ Church Oxford Special Interest Week-end - 27th to 30th March

In case anyone is interested: Every Spring Christ Church holds a week-end with a choice of themes open to all. This year one of the themes is 'A weekend in Heaven: Planets, Stars and Galaxies', organised by Professor Roger Davies. 8 lectures including Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, and a 'Sky at Night' from Tom Quad. Prices include all lectures and activity programme, escorted tours and 3 night's accommodation, meals, refreshments and reception and wine in Christ Church (£475 per person). For bookings or information call 01865 286 848 or email secialinterest@chch.ox.ac.uk

All comments relating to the Friends' programme are most welcome and as ever do ring 07792 311 371 if you wish to check my availability. Any queries or suggestions please email me at ceb@marlboroughcollege.org.

N.B The Diary should read 'Total Lunar Eclipse' in February is on Thursday 21st (but very early in the morning!)

Hoping for some cold clear skies